Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

Senator Shapleigh's notes and observations will keep you updated on what is happening behind the scenes in Austin and El Paso.

The following are excerpts from a speech that former Texas Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff delivered last week to members of the Austin Project, a program aimed at helping at-risk youth.

The United States Supreme Court accepts the Texas redistricting case - what that means for Texas is still unknown

Cost-cutting measures proposed in the budget reconciliation efforts under way in Washington are shortsighted.

Stakes sky high as court weighs how partisan process can get

Congressman Jim McDermott's Floor Speech on Proposed Budget Cuts

Senator Shapleigh's notes and observations will keep you updated on what is happening behind the scenes in Austin and El Paso.

State fell to 40th in U.S. per child amid school funding debate

Margaret Talbot discusses Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, the first case to test whether it is constitutional for public-school classes to present the argument of intelligent design.

Judge refuses to drop money- laundering case, tosses conspiracy count

Plain and simple, people who live in colonias are more likely to be victims of crime.

"If we don't change the educational differentials that exist in our society, our labor force in 2040 will be less well-educated than it is today, and we will be poorer."

Colorado says firm that Texas uses isn't meeting expectations

Voting Rights Finding On Map Pushed by DeLay Was Overruled

With the school finance decision finally out, leaders will take another look at tax reform.

Senator Shapleigh's notes and observations will keep you updated on what is happening behind the scenes in Austin and El Paso.

A program to link Texas residents with patient assistance programs kicks off

Roughly 12.5 percent of the U.S. population is living in poverty, according to new data released from the Census Bureau on Tuesday.

Columnist Dave McNeeley evaluates the values of leadership.

A reminder to the Legislature facing school finance reform that a good teacher is the foundation of a good education.